This Colorado Farm Sanctuary Lets You Meet Rescued Goats, Pigs, and Donkeys and Each One Has a Story to Tell

Nearly 500 rescued animals call this place home. Curious goats nudge your pockets.

Massive cows tower well above six feet. This Colorado sanctuary carries a mission that is both simple and profound: heal animals, educate people, and build a better world for every living being. I visited on a sunny afternoon and honestly was not prepared for how much it would move me.

Every animal here has a past, and the volunteers know each story by heart. It is the kind of place that stays with you long after you have driven home.

The Rescued Goats, Personalities Packed Into Every Pen

Goats at Broken Shovels are not shy. The second you step near their pen, they are already jostling for your attention, bumping into each other to be the first one to get a good scratch behind the ears.

There is something genuinely funny and endearing about being surrounded by a dozen goats who all seem convinced they are the star of the show.

Many of these goats arrived here after being pulled from slaughter-bound situations. Some came in scared and skittish, refusing to be touched.

Watching them now, you would never guess it. The transformation that happens at this sanctuary is not just physical; it is deeply behavioral, shaped by months of patient, consistent care from the volunteers and staff.

Caretakers are always nearby during events, ready to share each goat’s individual backstory. One might have been rescued from a neglect case; another might have been surrendered by a family who could no longer care for it.

Every name, every history is known and honored here.

Kids especially love the goat pens, and honestly, adults are just as captivated. The goats are bold, playful, and surprisingly affectionate.

Closed-toe shoes are a must since hooves are involved, and you will want to wash your hands at the stations provided. Bring your patience and your sense of humor, because these little characters will absolutely steal the entire afternoon from you.

Pigs With Pasts, Meet the Hogs Who Found a Safe Place

Pigs are far smarter than most people give them credit for, and spending even fifteen minutes with the ones at Broken Shovels makes that crystal clear. They have distinct moods, clear preferences, and an uncanny ability to figure out exactly who in the crowd is most likely to offer them a scratch on the snout.

The pigs here range from compact little potbellies to full-sized hogs that are genuinely impressive in size. Some arrived after being kept in terrible conditions, and the physical recovery process alone can take months.

But the emotional recovery is just as real. A pig that once flinched at human contact can, over time, become one of the most sociable residents on the property.

During open sanctuary events, the pig enclosures are among the most visited spots. Volunteers stand nearby and share each animal’s story with enthusiasm, making the visit feel more like meeting a community of individuals than touring a farm.

You start to realize quickly that these animals have rich inner lives worth respecting.

One thing that surprised me was how vocal the pigs are, grunting softly and shifting around with purpose, like they are always in the middle of some important decision. The sanctuary asks that no outside food be brought for the animals unless an event specifically allows it, so leave the snacks in the car and just enjoy the connection you get for free.

Donkeys and Mules, The Quiet Giants With Big Hearts

There is something almost meditative about being near a donkey. They move slowly, they observe everything, and when one finally decides to let you get close, it feels like a real moment of trust.

The donkeys at Broken Shovels have that exact quality, a kind of quiet dignity that makes you slow down and pay attention.

Mules are also part of the mix here, and they tend to be even more selective about who they warm up to. That selectiveness is not rudeness; it is intelligence.

Mules are known for being incredibly perceptive, and the ones at this sanctuary have learned over time that the humans who show up here mean them no harm.

Many of the donkeys arrived after being used as working animals or kept in isolation, which can have real psychological effects on a herd animal. The team at Broken Shovels works carefully to help them relearn how to be social, both with other animals and with people.

Watching a formerly withdrawn donkey bump its head gently against a visitor’s hand is one of those small moments that carries enormous weight.

The sanctuary’s approach is worth noting here: animals are never forced to interact. If a donkey walks away, you let it walk away.

That respect for animal choice is woven into every part of the visitor experience, and it makes every interaction feel authentic rather than performed. That matters more than most people expect.

23 Species Under One Sky, The Astonishing Variety Here

Most people arrive at Broken Shovels expecting goats and maybe a couple of pigs. What they find instead is an entire world.

The sanctuary is home to 23 different animal species, including cows, turkeys, roosters, rabbits, ducks, llamas, horses, mules, cats, and dogs, all living together across the property in Henderson, Colorado.

The cows alone are worth the trip. Several reviewers have mentioned being genuinely shocked by their size, with some standing taller than six feet at the shoulder.

There is something humbling about being next to an animal that large who has chosen to stand calmly beside you. It shifts your perspective in a way that is hard to put into words.

Water buffalo, yaks, alpacas, and geese round out the crowd, making every corner of the property feel like a new discovery. You might be watching a turkey fan its feathers one minute and then find yourself face to face with a llama the next.

The variety keeps the experience fresh no matter how long you stay.

What ties it all together is the consistency of care. Every single species on this property receives the same level of attention, love, and medical support.

The volunteers know individual animals across all 23 species by name and personality. That level of devotion is rare, and you feel it in the way the animals carry themselves, calm, curious, and genuinely at ease in their home.

Events, Tours, and the Ways You Can Actually Visit

Broken Shovels is not a place you just wander into on a random Tuesday afternoon. Visits happen through organized events and tours, which honestly makes the experience better.

You get a real structure, knowledgeable guides, and time that feels purposeful rather than rushed.

The Open Sanctuary Snuggle and Feeding events are among the most popular. These give visitors direct access to the animals in their pens and pastures, with caretakers present throughout to share stories and answer questions.

Sanctuary Sunset Evening Tours offer a quieter, more atmospheric version of the same experience, with the Colorado sky turning colors overhead while you hang out with a goat who has decided your shoulder is a perfectly reasonable place to rest its chin.

Private tours are available for smaller groups, and the sanctuary also offers options for birthday parties, corporate team-building days, and school or nonprofit tours. There is even an animal-assisted intervention program run in partnership with Resilience and Recovery at Broken Shovels, which incorporates therapy sessions with the resident animals.

That program speaks to just how deep the sanctuary’s mission actually runs.

Special events throughout the year, like the Dia de los Muertos celebration and the annual Meat Out gathering, draw hundreds of visitors and often include food trucks and merchandise. Checking the sanctuary’s event calendar before you go is the smartest move.

Each event has its own vibe, and finding the right one for your group makes a real difference in the experience you take home.

How to Support the Sanctuary and Why It Matters

Running a sanctuary for nearly 500 animals across 23 species is not a small undertaking. Broken Shovels relies heavily on community support to keep operating, and there are more ways to help than most visitors initially realize.

Cash donations are the most straightforward option, but the sanctuary also accepts food, building materials, medical supplies, and species-specific treats.

Animal sponsorships are another meaningful way to contribute. Visitors can choose a specific resident to sponsor, which helps cover the ongoing cost of that animal’s food and care.

It creates a personal connection that extends well beyond the day of your visit. Some people sponsor the same animal for years, watching them thrive through photos and updates shared by the team.

Volunteering is also a real option for those who want to get more involved. Volunteer days are structured and welcoming, with thorough instructions given to newcomers.

The work ranges from mucking out stalls to snuggling with animals during recovery, and long-time volunteers describe the experience as genuinely life-changing. The sanctuary’s culture is one of shared purpose and deep care, and it shows in every corner of the property.

Even just showing up for a ticketed event is a form of support, since the proceeds go directly toward animal care. The sanctuary has built something rare and real in Henderson, Colorado, and it only keeps going because people choose to invest in it.

Address: 8640 Dahlia St, Henderson, CO 80640.